RUMINATE Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'ruminate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of ruminate are meditate , muse , and ponder . While all these words mean "to consider or examine attentively or deliberately," ruminate implies going over the same matter in one's thoughts again and again but suggests little of either purposive thinking or rapt absorption. // ruminated on past disappointments

Q: When is it sensible to use 'meditate' instead of 'ruminate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to ruminate , meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply. // meditated on the meaning of life

Q: When might 'muse' be a better fit than 'ruminate'?

The synonyms muse and ruminate are sometimes interchangeable, but muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance. // mused upon childhood joys

Q: When is 'ponder' a more appropriate choice than 'ruminate'?

Although the words ponder and ruminate have much in common, ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter. // pondered the course of action

ruminate

verb

ˈrü-mə-ˌnāt

Definition of ruminate next

as in to ponder

to give serious and careful thought to the minister hoped that the congregation would spend the remainder of the week ruminating the message of his sermon

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word ruminate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of ruminate are meditate, muse, and ponder. While all these words mean "to consider or examine attentively or deliberately," ruminate implies going over the same matter in one's thoughts again and again but suggests little of either purposive thinking or rapt absorption.

ruminated on past disappointments

When is it sensible to use meditate instead of ruminate?

While in some cases nearly identical to ruminate, meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

When might muse be a better fit than ruminate?

The synonyms muse and ruminate are sometimes interchangeable, but muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

When is ponder a more appropriate choice than ruminate?

Although the words ponder and ruminate have much in common, ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter.

pondered the course of action

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of ruminate An intriguing nose with smoldering earth and graphite that has crunchy blackberry and red currant fruit on the palate with the enticing aroma of a lit cigar ruminating in one’s head for several seconds after the finish. —

Cathrine Todd, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 Penn State won in overtime, leaving the Trojans to ruminate on a third loss in four weeks. —

Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024 Esham Smith's music is known for its intensity, which ruminates on subjects like death, drugs, and good and evil. —

Annalise Frank, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024 The idea of home resonated even more throughout the pandemic, as the curatorial team invited contributors with vastly different practices to ruminate on this year’s theme. —

Jacoba Urist, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ruminate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruminate

Verb

Nationwide confusion over which Ron Johnson got the job Once Trump announced his pick of Johnson as the incoming U.S. ambassador to Mexico, social media lit up with politicians and citizens alike that pondered which Ron Johnson received the role.

Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 13 Dec. 2024
After interviewing for the Atlanta Falcons and the job subsequently going to Raheem Morris, Belichick has dabbled in the media business while pondering his next steps on the sidelines.

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024